DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[LMich]

Not specifically Detroit-related, but more solid news that the ecnomic recovery of Michigan is beyond where it could be considered a fluke:

Michigan manufacturing shores up nation's economy

Brian J. O'Connor / / Detroit News Finance Editor

May 4, 2011

...

Among manufacturing states, Michigan is well ahead in job creation — nearly 30,000 jobs in that period. That's 40 percent more than the second-biggest gaining state — Wisconsin — and five times the jobs added in California.

Compared with June 2009, when the recession officially ended, Perry noted, the number of manufacturing positions in the United States has declined, but Michigan has added 48,500 manufacturing jobs.

Driving much of that is the rebound in auto sales, especially in Michigan-made pickups. Jenny Lin, senior U.S. economist for Ford Motor Co., says business investment is a big part of that, noting that capital spending increased 11.6 percent in the first quarter over the fourth quarter.

"That shows businesses are investing," Lin said. "They're finding they can't live with an old fleet of vehicles anymore, so business owners are renewing their fleets. That's a point of support for Ford sales going forward."

And for Michigan, as businesses, contractors and farmers pick up more pickups.

Ford's F-150 line is made in Dearborn's Rouge River plant, while Chrysler Group LLC makes the Ram 1500 and Dakota pickups in Warren. General Motors Co. assembles the heavy-duty versions of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra in Flint, models selling so well now despite an increase in gas prices to nearly $4 a gallon nationwide that GM just added a third shift.

While it would take many, many extra shifts of auto workers to replace the 503,000 jobs lost in Michigan since January 2006, the manufacturing rebound underscores the heavily cyclical nature of the state's economy. With its dependence on automakers, Michigan's economy falls faster and harder when bad times send vehicle sales plummeting.

But the state also bounces back faster and higher than others after an economic downturn.

After four years of posting the worst unemployment rate in the nation — topping out at a whopping 14.5percent in December 2009 — Michigan now ranks fifth at 10.3 percent, behind Nevada, California, Florida and Rhode Island, and barely above the 10.2percent rates of Kentucky and Mississippi. Michigan's unemployment rate has fallen at twice the rate of the U.S. rate, now at 8.8 percent.

...

Long way to go, but, yes, we still can make things in America, and make money on them, too.

[animatedmartian]

Matty Moroun's company hires Ann Arbor architectural firm to touch up Michigan Central Depot

By Lizzy Alfs
Business Reporter

May 6, 2011

annarbor.com


Ann Arbor-based Quinn Evans Architects has been hired by the Detroit International Bridge Company to design restoration plans for the dilapidated Michigan Central Depot in Detroit, the company announced Thursday.

Manuel “Matty” Moroun owns the bridge company, which also controls the Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor. Moroun is currently trying to block a proposed publicly-owned bridge that would similarly span the Detroit River and connect the two cities.
A statement released by the bridge company said Moroun’s son and vice chairman, Matthew Moroun, “looks forward to a renewed, vibrant building.”

The project will include restoration of the windows and replacement of the roof at the historic building, which has been unoccupied for over two decades and is generally considered a symbol of Detroit's decline.

Elisabeth Knibbe, who will lead the design project for Quinn Evans Architects, said her firm specializes in historic restoration and has worked on projects such as the Garfield Building in Detroit and the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing.

Knibbe said the building looks “pretty sound” structurally, but she said there are issues that have to be addressed before the restorations can begin.

...

Actually, I just noticed that the Detnews has a similar article from March 25, only this article names the architects. It's nice to see more progress towards a slow rebirth of Detroit, nonetheless.

[subterranean]

Originally Posted by LMich

Not specifically Detroit-related, but more solid news that the ecnomic recovery of Michigan is beyond where it could be considered a fluke:



Long way to go, but, yes, we still can make things in America, and make money on them, too.

When there was a "sky is falling" mentality, many of these companies undoubtedly over cut. This new hiring will seriously level out soon. At least I hope. I don't want the new Michigan to be so reliant on the automotive industry. We need to continue diversifying.

[Michi]

May I suggest a Detroiter step up and keep us all up to date on the window replacements (and anything else) happening at the Michigan Central Train Station? I find the suspected contradiction between the Ambassador Twin Span/Public Bridge & the timely restoration of the MCS rather fascinating and a great emerging case study in power, politics, corruption, taxes, free markets and, of course, warm tinglies!

[subterranean]

Originally Posted by Michi

May I suggest a Detroiter step up and keep us all up to date on the window replacements (and anything else) happening at the Michigan Central Train Station? I find the suspected contradiction between the Ambassador Twin Span/Public Bridge & the timely restoration of the MCS rather fascinating and a great emerging case study in power, politics, corruption, taxes, free markets and, of course, warm tinglies!

God, I hope that's not his logic. If so, then he may move straight to demo (or at least threaten to demo) if he doesn't get his way with the bridge. This man is a disgusting, despicable excuse for a human being.

[animatedmartian]

Work begins to replace windows at Michigan Central Depot
Tom Greenwood/ The Detroit News
June 07, 2011
http://www.detnews.com/article/20110...-Central-Depot

Detroit — If it's true that "a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step," then the Michigan Central Train Depot may be on its way toward restoration.

On Tuesday morning, a crew of workmen from Professional Abatement Services Inc. began removing asbestos-laden caulking and glazing from all the first-floor windows of the iconic building, which has sat abandoned and derelict on Michigan Avenue for decades.

The work backs up a recent pledge by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun — who also owns the train depot — to replace the roof and more than a thousand broken windows in the 17-story building.

"The activity occurring at Michigan Central Station is the beginning of a long process for depot restoration," said Moroun's wife, Nora. "It is the first of many positive steps to come."

PASI workmen will also be removing asbestos ductwork and tiles from the first floor, according to company President Danny Bennett.

"This is really a huge job, and we could be here for months to come," Bennett said.

"Once we finish the first floor we'll probably start working our way up to the top of this thing. There are an estimated 1,400 windows in this building, with very big windows on the first floor."

[...]

I can't chose between optimism and cynicism knowing that and old rich guy has power over what gets done.

[animatedmartian]

Progress on the Broderick Tower.








http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...09210839112636

Renderings




http://www.brodericktower.com/

[subterranean]

Yes!! Thanks for the photos.

[mind field]

The Broderick Tower is the renovation that i've waited sooo long to see come to fruition in Detroit. I think it will be a new beacon of hope for the renaissance of downtown Detroit.

[Austinlee]

F--- YES!!

[Austinlee]

Also, I wanted to say when I was in Detroit last year for DEMF (I didn't make it this year) I stayed at the Westin Book Cadillac; What a hotel! Amazing. I loved it and will always stay there when I am in town.




Couple shots I took. Nice cluster here:



I'm not really a statue guy bu this one is epic.




Loved this textures of this angle. Wish RenCen was more integral to downtown though.




Random people shots with RenCen from DEMF '10.







Hart Plaza rules.

[Austinlee]

Concerning the waterfront convention center; This looks good. Hope it connects properly to the water.

Pittsburgh's convention center waterfront park:

Before -


http://christinedavisconsultants.com...ention-center/

Recently completed:


http://mascaroconstruction.com/projects/view/78


http://mascaroconstruction.com/projects/view/78


http://mascaroconstruction.com/projects/view/78

[animatedmartian]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/28315374/detail.html

Detroit's getting people from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as swell as Department of Transportation.

(looking for a link)
I also saw a story about the state of Michigan owing Detroit $20(or $220) million dollars from a deal that Denis Archer made with the state. The state supposedly only paid for two years on that deal.

Crossing fingers for money not going into corruption or wasteful spending. [/cynicism]

[Frequency]

It's so good to see work finally being done on both Broderick and the train station. There are so many amazing buildings in Detroit, many of which have fallen into disrepair or sadly been torn down (or turned into parking lots). I'm glad to see these buildings fight for a second life. This bit of revival will do Detroit good.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by PA Pride

F--- YES!!

Now all thats left is the book tower.

[animatedmartian]

From detroitbob66 at detroityes:




http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...-Thread/page15

Scheduled to be open by fall 2012.
http://www.modeldmedia.com/devnews/b...ion042611.aspx

[LMich]

Whole Foods is still seriously looking at the city:

Whole Foods meets with Detroiters to discuss possible store in city

by John Gallagher | Detroit Free Press

June 24, 2011

Reaching out to local Detroit residents, the Whole Foods grocery chain held another community listening session this morning as it mulls whether to open one of its upscale food emporiums in Detroit.

Red Elk Banks, the company’s director of operations for Michigan, told the 35 to 40 residents attending the session at the Friends of Detroit & Tri County Center at 8230 E. Forest that no decisions have been made about whether to open a store in Detroit. The company operates five groceries in Michigan.

...

Banks and other Whole Foods representatives used the meeting to talk about Whole Foods’ corporate values and to promise to support local growers and vendors if and when a store happens here.

“We seek out and find Michigan products,” Banks said. “We’re not going to be successful unless we’re lifting every vendor around us.”

The soonest a decision might be announced would be at Whole Foods’ next earnings report on July 27, and local real estate insiders point to one or more possible locations in Midtown as the most likely site.

...

Although no decisions were announced, the Whole Foods representatives did said that if the company decides to open a store, it would take 18 to 24 months to build. The size would likely be in the 18,000- to 25,000-square-foot range.

...

In other news, Michigan is looking to lure (back, in a way) Sears:

SE Michigan battles to lure Sears headquarters, 5,000 jobs

by John Gallagher | Detroit Free Press

June 24, 2011

With giant Sears Holdings Corp. mulling a headquarters move from its base in suburban Chicago, Southeast Michigan has jumped into the fray to try to lure the retailer.

A package of incentives worth at least $50 million is being offered to Sears to relocate its headquarters and some 5,000 jobs to metro Detroit, two sources familiar with the talks said Friday.

Two potential sites in metro Detroit are being offered to Sears. One is Regent Court, a Ford Motor office building on Ford Road in Dearborn. The other is the former Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan complex on West 11 Mile Road in Southfield, which is on the market as BCBSM moves employees to downtown Detroit.

Both Wayne and Oakland counties, as well as the Michigan Economic Development Corp., are participating in the attempt to lure the Sears headquarters, the sources said. MEDC had no comment on the effort.

...

Moving to Southeast Michigan would be a homecoming of sorts. The former Kmart Corp., then based in Troy, bought Sears in 2005 to form Sears Holdings and left Troy for combined corporate offices in suburban Chicago.

Michigan is just one state lining up with offers. Published media reports in Chicago have said that Sears has been in talks with North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee and New Jersey about leaving its Hoffman Estates-based headquarters in suburban Chicago after its state and local tax incentives expire in 2012.

...

[canadaonstrike]

Federal government to jumpstart manufacturing in Michigan

By Tracy Samilton | Michigan Radio

Michigan is playing a starring role in a new federal initiative designed to spark the creation of new manufacturing jobs as part of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership. The federal government will spend $500 million to jumpstart manufacturing research and development projects.

...

Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris will lead the partnership and Ford Motor Company, Stryker Corporation and the University of Michigan will also be involved. U of M President Mary Sue Coleman says Michigan, with its heavy reliance on manufacturing, has more to gain from the partnership than any other state.

http://www.michiganradio.org/post/fe...uring-michigan

[animatedmartian]

Dan Gilbert hopes Madison project will change downtown Detroit
Jun. 21, 2011
By John Gallagher / Detroit Free Press

To get a good idea how Quicken Loans founder and chairman Dan Gilbert hopes to change downtown Detroit, take a look at the progress on his Madison Theatre Building.

Gilbert bought the small, five-story structure near Broadway and Grand Circus Park and has workers transforming it into a hub for high-tech entrepreneurial activity.

The building is to open in late fall.

There'll be a co-working floor that Gilbert plans to offer for free to entrepreneurs -- sort of a desk-for-a-day environment for techies. And there'll be a 150-seat theater where Gilbert hopes to host all sorts of technology events, from critiques of new software and hardware to brainstorming sessions for digital types.

...

The Madison, to be finished this fall, is just one of several Gilbert projects under way downtown. Gilbert and his partners have purchased the Chase Building and the First National Building, and real estate insiders say he continues to look for more buildings.

...


ANDRE J. JACKSON/Detroit Free Press

http://www.freep.com/article/2011062...wntown-Detroit

[LMich]

And, the news keeps on coming. Meanwhile, across the street from the Broderick Tower...

Construction could begin next year to turn the David Whitney Building into a boutique hotel that would “elevate the panache of the city.” (David Coates / The Detroit News)

Boutique hotel eyed for downtown's Whitney Building

By Louis Aguilar | Detroit News

June 27, 2011

The new owners of an empty downtown Woodward Avenue building are putting their faith in Detroit's eclecticism with plans to open the city's first boutique hotel — a genre of small, trendy lodgings that often become local hangouts, too.

...

The owners of the David Whitney Building want to take advantage of its architecture, which includes a sweeping four-story lobby with a glass atrium, and mostly intact white terra cotta columns and a marble floor.

The idea is for the hotel to be distinct and not have a corporate feel to it, said David Di Rita, one of the new owners of the David Whitney. It would aim for a young, cosmopolitan clientele, he said.

...

The Whitney partners are trying to raise $80 million to bring a mix of 130 hotel rooms and 180 residential units to the 19-story building. They are in talks with several national hotel chains that run boutique brands, said Di Rita, but he declined to name the chains. Examples of those brands include the W, Aloft and Palomar hotels.

...

If things go as planned, construction in the David Whitney Building would start next year, and the residences and hotel would open in 2013, said James Van Dyke, vice president of development in The Roxbury Group and the Whitney partnership.


New owners of the David Whitney Building plan to turn the property into a boutique hotel with trendy lodging and a lobby that looks like a nightclub. (David Coates / The Detroit News)